Does Tramadol show up on drug tests?
Yes – sort of.
While Tramadol isn’t going to show up on the standard drug test that, say, a new employer would usually have you take, Tramadol will show up on a toxicology screening specifically designed for prescription drug detection. More on drug testing for Tramadol here…but if we don’t answer your question, please leave it for us at the end.
Why order a drug test for tramadol?
There are a few different reasons why you might be tested for Tramadol. The first is medical. Dangers of Tramadol including serious side effects, drug interactions, or overdose may require medical testing. If you’re admitted to a hospital and they suspect an overdose or need to find out what medications you’re taking, they’ll run a screen. You might also need to be screened for legal purposes. For example, if you’ve been convicted of taking the pain medication to get high off Tramadol without medical supervision. In other words, positive drug testing for Tramadol without a prescription puts you at risk of legal consequences.
Types of Tramadol drug tests
A blood test, Toxi-Lab A, can determine if there is Tramadol in your system or not. However, the test will not be able to show the level of the drug. The result will simply be a simple positive or negative. Tramadol can also be detected using special urine or hair tests, but there must be some reason or suspicion that Tramadol is in your system for these tests to be ordered.
Tramadol cutoff levels
In hair tests, Tramadol can be detected at low levels – those which would appear in normal use as prescribed by a doctor. In one study, a concentration as low as 0.176 ng/mg was enough to show up on the test. Anecdotal evidence suggests that urine tests are not as effective, since Tramadol leaves the system fairly quickly.
Positive drug testing for tramadol
If you have a prescription for Tramadol, it shouldn’t be a problem if it shows up on a drug test. If you test positive to Tramadol and you have a prescription for the drug, it should be easy enough to explain to employers, doctors, and anyone else who might request a drug test. However, in several states Tramadol is considered a controlled substance, so if you’re using it without a prescription, you may get into some legal trouble.
If you test positive and you’re using Tramadol illegally, there will likely be repercussions. The exact legal status of Tramadol depends on where you live, so if you’re concerned about it showing up on a drug test, find out what your local laws are.
Questions about Tramadol drug testing
Do you still have questions about Tramadol showing up on drug tests? Please leave us your questions about Tramadol drug testing here. We try to respond to all questions with a personal and prompt reply.
2:37 pm
February 24th, 2012
Will Tramadol show up on a 10 panel probation drug test, what will it show up as, and how many days does it take for it to leave your system in terms of taking a urine drug test?
2:15 pm
March 1st, 2012
Hi Trey. Thanks for your question.
Like other opioids, Tramadol does not stay in the body long. Hair samples can detect drug use for weeks or months after dosing, but blood or urine screens are only reliable for a day or two.
In terms of a 10 panel probation test…do you know what the test name is? You can find out of Tramadol is covered by asking the screening center.
11:58 pm
March 7th, 2012
I recently tested positive for ultram and have never taken the drug. I am talking to a MRO in a few days. I only take tylenol and advil. Is there any reason for this?
11:23 am
March 8th, 2012
Hi Eric. The sensitivity and specificity of drug screens vary, and all can yield false-positive or false-negative results. Urine based drug tests are especially subject to false-positive and false-negative results. Not to mention clerical errors.
During your talk with the MRO, you can request a tramadol-specific test in order to prove that the drug is not in your system, and not a general screen. Or re-take the initial test.